The Black Hills members of the Hamsters USA motorcycle group teamed up with local law enforcement, first responders, and other community leaders to shop with over 40 local children for Christmas gifts Friday. Pioneer photo by Alex Portal

The Black Hills members of the Hamsters USA motorcycle group teamed up with local law enforcement, first responders, and other community leaders to shop with over 40 local children for Christmas gifts Friday. Pioneer photo by Alex Portal

The Black Hills members of the Hamsters USA motorcycle group teamed up with local law enforcement, first responders, and other community leaders to shop with over 40 local children for Christmas gifts Friday. Pioneer photo by Alex Portal

The Black Hills members of the Hamsters USA motorcycle group teamed up with local law enforcement, first responders, and other community leaders to shop with over 40 local children for Christmas gifts Friday. Pioneer photo by Alex Portal

The Black Hills members of the Hamsters USA motorcycle group teamed up with local law enforcement, first responders, and other community leaders to shop with over 40 local children for Christmas gifts Friday. Pioneer photo by Alex Portal

Hamsters lend helping hand during the holidays

Local law enforcement, first responders, and community members shop for kids

The Black Hills members of the Hamsters USA motorcycle group teamed up with local law enforcement, first responders, and other community leaders to shop with over 40 local children for Christmas gifts Friday. Pioneer photo by Alex Portal

The Black Hills members of the Hamsters USA motorcycle group teamed up with local law enforcement, first responders, and other community leaders to shop with over 40 local children for Christmas gifts Friday. Pioneer photo by Alex Portal

The Black Hills members of the Hamsters USA motorcycle group teamed up with local law enforcement, first responders, and other community leaders to shop with over 40 local children for Christmas gifts Friday. Pioneer photo by Alex Portal

The Black Hills members of the Hamsters USA motorcycle group teamed up with local law enforcement, first responders, and other community leaders to shop with over 40 local children for Christmas gifts Friday. Pioneer photo by Alex Portal

The Black Hills members of the Hamsters USA motorcycle group teamed up with local law enforcement, first responders, and other community leaders to shop with over 40 local children for Christmas gifts Friday. Pioneer photo by Alex Portal

NORTHERN HILLS — The Black Hills members of the Hamsters USA motorcycle group teamed up with local law enforcement, first responders and other community leaders to shop for Christmas gifts with over 40 local children Friday.

The Hamsters group provided funding of $150 on average per child for the shopping spree, and then officers and first responders escorted the children around the store to help them pick out presents. Walmart provided a Santa workshop, and the Black Hills Pioneer provided gift-wrap and tape for each child to take home. 2018 marks the fifth year for this co-operative shopping project to help make the holidays a little brighter for kids in need.

“You get to see the kids that might not have the same opportunities at this point,” said Keith Terry, a senior Hamster. “We get to see kids have a Christmas that maybe (they weren’t) going to. It’s rewarding for all of us to see the smiles.”

Participants included members of the Spearfish Police Department, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, South Dakota Highway Patrol, South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks, Lead Police Department, Department of criminal Investigation, BHSU Police, Dept. of Corrections, Lawrence County Court Services, Lawrence County State’s Attorney, and Spearfish School District counseling staff.

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